The city of Pittsfield, Massachusetts has issued a local state of emergency declaration so it can qualify for state and federal funds related to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Mayor Linda Tyer made the announcement at city hall Thursday morning. She says the declaration allows Pittsfield to circumvent the bureaucratic process in addition to opening up new resources.
“We will be eligible for reimbursement for any costs associated for managing the COVID-19 situation," said Tyer. "It also frees us up to have access to supplies and materials that might be available.”
Tyer says as of Thursday morning, two city residents are presumptively positive for COVID-19 and are hospitalized. The mayor says seven others are under quarantine awaiting test results. Six city residents have completed a 14-day quarantine process. The city is not closing public buildings at this point, including its schools, senior center, and library.
